Fluid actuated display device



y 9 1968 A. SCHONFELD 3,390,659

FLUID ACTUATED DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Oct. 18, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 llVVf/VTOR ARNOLD SCHONFELD July 2, 1968 A. SCHONFELD 3,390,659

FLUID ACTUATED DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Oct. 18, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 (N (1: -40: o l rval-#015 FIG, 5b

United States Patent 3,390,659 FLUKE ACTUATED DHSPLAY DEVZQE Arnold Schonfeld, Levittown, lPa., assignor to Sperry Rand Corporation, New Yorlr, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Get. 18, 1965, Sea. No. 497,311 12 Qlainrs. (Cl. lll6-65) ABSTRACT @F A fluid indicator is disclosed which includes a body member to which has been attached one or more leaf springs. The leaf springs are anchored at one end to the body member and have indicia carrying portions at the other end thereof. interposed between the leaf springs and the body member are one or more inflatable plastic bags which are connected to a source of air pressure. When the inflatable bags are inflated, the leaf springs are displaced from the body member. A viewing window located next to the indicia portion of the leaf Springs then displays the indicia carried by the springs.

This invention relates to indicators and more particularly to fluid actuated display devices.

The advent of pure fluid data processing systems, counters, and other fluid devices requiring a visible read out has necessitated the development of visual indicators for displaying in readily assimilated form digital output data.

Specifically, the present invention is concerned with the numeric indication either in binary or decimal form data presented to it in the form of fluid pressure from pure fluid digital devices such as pure fluid counters, data processing systems, analog to digital inverters and the like.

In one form the present invention contemplates a disc mounted at the end of a wire spring. Around the periphery of a flat side of the disc are printed the numerals 0 through 9. A viewing window is disposed opposite the center of the disc and in the normal undeflected condition of the wire spring none of the numerals are visible at the viewing Window. Means are provided selectively to deflect the wire spring in one of ten possible directions in response to fluid pressure so that any one of the numerals 0 to 9 may be made visible at the viewing Window.

Another form of the present invention contemplates a leaf spring having one end attached to a rectangularly shaped block. The leaf spring is biased so that it normally lies parallel and adjacent to one side of the block with an end flap of the leaf spring normally overlapping the end of the block. Fluid pressure responsive means disposed between the leaf spring and block, functions when actuated by fluid to cause the end flap of the leaf spring to uncover the end of the block. Thus, indicia on the flap or the end of the block is exposed at a viewing area opposite the end of the block dependent upon the actuated or non-actuated state of the fluid responsive means.

Another embodiment of the present invention contemplates leaf springs wherein the flaps are printed progressively with the numerals 1 through 9. Selective actuation of the fluid responsive means brings a selected numeral into view at a viewing window.

In all three of the above-described embodiments the fluid responsive means employed are one or more inflatable or expandible bags made of plastic, rubber, or the like and inflation thereof causes them to act against the movable indica bearing element. The bags themselves may be connected by means of conduits to the output terminals of the particular pure fluid devices whose numeric data is to be displayed.

Aside from low cost, high reliability, and small space requirements great advantage of the present invention resides in the act that no significant air flow is required to actuate the indicators of the present invention.

FIGURES l, 2 and 3 illustrate one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 4 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURES 5a and 5b illustrate a third embodiment of the present invention.

Referring now more particularly to FIGURES l, 2 and 3 there is shown a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIGURE 1 shows a wire spring ll rigidly fixed in cantilever fashion at one end 11a to the end 12a of cylindrical member 12. The cylindrical member 12 itself is stationary relative to the wire spring Ell.

Disposed within the cylinder 12 and rigidly mounted at the end of wire spring 1?. is a disc 13. The face 14 of the disc 33 faces a viewing window 15 formed in an end 12b of the cylinder 12. The disc 13 is centered on the wire spring is such that only the center of the face 14 of the disc 13 is visible at the viewing window 15. Around the periphery of the face id of the disc 13 are the numerals 0 through 9 printed thereon in any convenient manner substantially as shown in FIGURE 2. The disc 13 is not movable relative to the wire spring 11.

A generally circularly shaped bearing element 16 is mounted on the wire spring at a position between the disc 11* and the end l' a of the Wire spring 11. The wire spring 11 passes through the center of the bearing element 16 to which it is rigidly secured in any convenient manner. The perimeter of the element 16 comprises ten facets of flat portions through 161'. The facets 16:: through 16 are equal in dimension and provide bearing surfaces for deflecting the wire spring 11 in a manner more fully described hereinafter.

A plurality of fluid conduits 17a through 17 pass through the wall of the cylinder 12 at the location of the bearing element 16. The conduits 17a through 17 are disposed opposite the facets 1612 through 16f, respectively. Plastic bags 18a through 18 communicate with and are sealed to the ends of the conduits 17:: through 17 respcctively. The plastic bags 18a through ltfij are in close proximity to the facets 16a through 16 respectively. Thus, when for example, the plastic bag 18a is inflated by passing fluid through the conduit 17a, the plastic bag 18a inflates and bears against the facet 16a causing the spring wire 11 to deflect to such an angle that the zero on the face of the disc 13 appears at the window 15. In like manner, anyone of the other digits 1 through 9 on the face 14 of the disc 13 may be made selectively to appear or example, inflation of the plastic bag at the window 15. r 15f deflects the wire spring if so that the digit 5 appears at the viewing Window 15.

The conduits 17a through 17 may be connected to the output of any fluid system or device to visually indicate the numerical decimal output of that device.

FIGURE 4 illustrates a pictorial representation of a second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment pertains to a binary indicator and comprises generally a rectangular shaped block 2.1 with a flat end 2 in having imprinted thereon a binary l. A. leaf spring 22 is fixed at one end 22b to a flat surface 21b of the block The leaf spring 22 is spring biased so that it normally lies close and substantially parallel to the flat surface 211) of the block 21.

The leaf spring 22 has a flap 22a integral therewith but disposed substantially at to the flat portion of the leaf spring 22.. The flap 22a has imprinted thereon a binary O and when the leaf spring 22 is in its normal position, that is, substantially flat against the flat surface 21b of the block 23, the flap containing the binary O overlaps and covers the end Zia of the block 2?.

such that the imprinted binary 1 is blocked out. A viewing window (not shown) disposed opposite the end 21a of the block 21 would then display only the binary whereas when the leaf spring 22 was in the position shown the binary 1 would be visible at the viewing window.

A plastic bag 23 is disposed between the leaf spring 22 and the flat surface 21b of the block 21 substantially as shown. The plastic bag 23 is hermetically sealed against the flat surface 21b of the block 21 and to a conduit 24. When the fluid is introduced into the conduit 24, the plastic bag inflates. When the plastic bag 23 is inflated, the normal bias of the leaf spring 22 is overcome and the leaf spring is displaced to the position shown, that is, to a position uncovering the binary 1 imprinted on the end 21a of the block 21. The conduit 24 which communicates with the plastic bag 23 may in practice be completely disposed within the block 21 with only an end 24a protruding for connection to an appropriate fluid system. Thus, a viewing Window (not shown) disposed opposite the end 21a of the block 21 shows the binary 1 when the plastic bag 23 is inflated by means of fluid in the conduit 24 and the binary 0 on the flap 22a is visible when the plastic bag 23 is in its collapsed state, that is, when no fluid pressure is connected to the conduit 24. The viewing window may be similar to that shown in FIG. 1, i.e., the whole assembly of FIG. 4 may be enclosed in a cylindrical housing having a viewing window formed in one end thereof. The 1 and 0 may be replaced with any designations, i.e., Go/Stop, On/Oif, Hot/Cold.

The indicator depicted in FIGURES a and 5b is similar to that described in connection with FIGURE 4 except that the indicator in FIGURE 5 is a decimal indicator as opposed to the binary indicator of FIGURE 4.

A block 31 has substantially flat surfaces 31a and 31b and a slightly arcuate shaped end 310. A leaf spring 32 has one end 32b rigidly fixed to the flat surface 31a of the block 31. An arcuate shaped flap 32a is integral or otherwise connected to the leaf spring 32. The leaf spring 32 is spring biased away from the flat surface 31a to such a position that it is substantially parallel to a flat surface 33a of a wedge shaped element 33. The wedge shaped element 33 is integral with or otherwise joined to an end of the block 31 and is so shaped as to form a V-shaped slot therewith.

Similarly a leaf spring 34 is rigidly fixed at an end 34b to the flat surface 31b of the block 31. An arcuate flap 34a is integral with or otherwise connected to the other end of the leaf spring 34. The leaf spring 34 is spring biased away from the flat surface 31b of the block 31 such that it lies substantially parallel to a flat surface 35a of a wedge shaped element 35. The wedge element 35 is integral with or otherwise connected to an end of the block 31 and it forms therewith a V-shaped slot.

The flaps 32a and 34a and the end 310 of the block 31 have imprinted thereon the decimal numbers 0 through 9. As best seen, by referring to FIGURE 5b, the end 310 of the block 31 has a 0 imprinted thereon. The flap 32a has the decimal numbers 1 through 5 imprinted thereon and the flap 34a has the numerals 6 through 9 imprinted thereon. The numerals 1 through 9 appear on the flaps 32a and 34a in the order shown. A viewing window (not shown) disposed opposite the end 310 of the block 31 normally displays the numeral 0 since the flaps 32a and 34a are in a position away from the end 31c due to the normally spring biased condition of the leaf springs 32 and 34. The viewing window for this embodiment may also be similar to that shown in FIG- URE 1.

As will be more fully described hereinafter the leaf springs 32 and 34 may be so displaced that any one of the numerals 1 through 9 appearing on the flaps 32a and 34a may be made visible at the viewing window.

Plastic bags 36 through 40 of substantially equal size are disposed between the flat surface 33a of the wedge shaped element 33 and the flat surface of the leaf spring 32. These plastic bags 36, 37, 38, 39 and 40 are so disposed in succession along the flat surface 33a that when the plastic bags 36, 37, 38, 39 or 40 are inflated, the numerals 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, respectively, imprinted on the flap 32a appear at the viewing window. Conduits 41 through 45 communicate with the plastic bags 36 through 40 which are hermetically sealed thereto. The conduits 41 through 45 are disposed within the wedge 33 with only the end portions thereof protruding therefrom.

Similarly, plastic bags 46, 47, 48 and 49 are disposed between the flat surface 35a of the wedge shaped portion 35 and the flat surface of the leaf spring 34. The conduits 50 through 53 communicate with the plastic bags 46 through 49 through the wedge shaped portion 35. The protruding portions of the conduits 50 through 53 and 41 through 45 may be connected to the fluid device having a decimal output. A fluid input to a selected one of the conduits 50 through 53 causes the respective one of the plastic bags 46, 47, 48 or 49 to become inflated thereby causing the associated number on the flap 34a to appear at the viewing window.

The position and size of the plastic bags depends on the angle of the V-shaped slots and the length of the leaf springs. It should be clear that use of the present configuration, i.e., the structure comprising the V-shaped slots makes the use of equal size plastic bags possible. However, use of different size plastic bags could be made if such were called for by a different structural configuration.

The reliability of the present invention is enhanced by the use of plastic bags. The plastic bags need not be distended by over-inflation at any time and, therefore, are not subject to fatigue or strain by such partial inflation.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. An indicator for displaying one or more selected indicia, comprising in combination: a body member, at least one spring member having an indicia bearing element associated therewith, said spring member being anchored at one end to said body member, a viewing window disposed adjacent said spring member, at least one plastic bag interposed between said spring member and said body member and responsive upon being inflated to deflect said spring member away from said body member to cause said indicia to be displayed at said viewing window.

2. A fluid actuated visual indicator, comprising in combination: a viewing window, a body member, a flexible indicia bearing element disposed adjacent said viewing window and anchored at one end to said body member, at least one deformable plastic bag interposed between said body member and said flexible indicia bearing elemen, said flexible indicia bearing element responsive to the inflated condition of said plastic bag to assume a position relative to said body member for displaying a selected one of said indicia at said viewing window.

3. An indicator for displaying indicia in response to fluid pressure, comprising in combination: a body member, a flexible member having at least one indicia imprinted thereon, said flexible member being anchored at one end to said body member and being biased in a first position, a plastic bag interposed between said body member and said flexible member responsive to being inflated with fluid to deflect said flexible member from said first to a second position relative to said body member, a viewing window disposed adjacent said flexible member normally displaying said indicia when said flexible members is in said first position and blocking said indicia from view when said flexible member is in said second position.

4. A fluid actuated visual indicator, comprising in combination: a first member with a flat end having a numeral imprinted thereon, a second member fixed at one end to said member and having a flap with a numeral imprinted thereon at its other end covering said flat end when said second member is in a first position and uncovering said flat end when said second member is in a second position, fluid pressure responsive means operable when actuated to move said second member between said first and said second positions.

5. An indicator according to claim 4 wherein said second member comprises a leaf spring normally biased to remain in said first position.

6. An indicator according to claim 5 wherein said fluid responsive means comprises a deformable plastic bag disposed between said first member and said leaf spring operable upon inflation to deflect said leaf spring from said first to said second position.

7. A fluid actuated visual indicator comprising in combination: a wire spring rigidly fixed at one end, an indicia bearing element mounted at the other end of said wire spring, a viewing window disposed adjacent said indicia bearing element, a plurality of plastic bags disposed about said wire spring, each of said plastic bags responsive to being inflated to deflect said wire spring to bring a selected one of said indicia into view at said viewing window.

8. An indicator according to claim 7 wherein said indicia bearing element comprises a disc having a plurality of numerals imprinted on the outer periphery of one of its flat sides and mounted at the center of the other of its flat sides to said other end of said wire spring so that normally said numerals are not visible at said viewing window.

9. An indicator according to claim 8 wherein a generally circular shaped member having a plurality of fiat surfaces about its perimeter is fixedly disposed on said wire spring between said disc and said one end of said wire spring with said wire spring passing through the axis of said member, each of said plastic bags being in contiguous relationship to a respective one of said flat surfaces.

16'. A fluid actuated indicator, comprising in combination: a viewing window, first and second movable members, each of said first and second members having portions with numerals imprinted thereon, fluid responsive means associated with each of said first and second members operative when actuated to position a selected one of said numerals on a selected one of said portions for display at said viewing windows and wherein each of said first and second movable members comprise a leaf spring normally biased in a first position so that said portions are not displayed at said viewing window.

11. A fluid actuated indicator, comprising in combination: a viewing window, first and second movable members, each of said first and second members having portions with numerals imprinted thereon, fluid responsive means associated with each of said first and second members operative when actuated to position a selected one of said numerals on a selected one of said portions for display at said viewing window and wherein said fluid responsive means comprise deformable plastic bags equal in number to the number of numerals on said portions, said plastic bags disposed in contiguous relationship to said first and second members so that inflation of a selected one thereof positions a selected one of said numerals for display at said viewing window.

12. An indicator according to claim 10 wherein said fluid responsive means comprise a first set of deformable plastic bags in contiguous relationship to said first member equal in number to the number of numerals on said portion of said first member, a second set of deformable plastic bags in contiguous relationship to said second member equal in number to the number of numerals on said portion of said second member, each of said plastic bags operable upon inflation to deflect a'selected one of said leaf springs and to position a selected one of said numerals for display at said viewing window.

References Qited UNITED STATES PATENTS 961,055 6/1910 Withrow 2,184,421 12/1939 Gerber 116-65 

